Opinion

Gerard McMahon's family need to be given answers

While police have released few details about the circumstances of Gerard McMahon's death in Belfast on Thursday, it is clear this was a shocking incident which ended in tragedy.

We are told this incident began around 5am near the Grand Opera House on Great Victoria Street with police officers called to a disturbance.

Witnesses said Mr McMahon, who is from the Short Strand area, was dressed in his underwear and behaving erratically. He was not believed to have been armed and no weapons were recovered from the scene.

It appears that while officers were making an arrest, CS spray was used. Mr McMahon later became unwell and officers carried out first aid until the ambulance service arrived. He was subsequently taken to hospital where he sadly died.

A defibrillator could be seen on the streets hours after these tragic events, giving some indication of the efforts that were made to save this man.

The Police Ombudsman is now investigating this incident and CCTV footage will be examined as part of this probe.

There are reports of an altercation between Mr McMahon and taxi drivers before police officers arrived on the scene and this information will also be looked at by investigators.

Although this incident took place in the early morning, this is one of Belfast's busiest thoroughfares and there is every likelihood that a number of people saw what happened.

Some witnesses have already been spoken to but it is vital that anyone with any shred of information or who saw anything that may be helpful, comes forward to the Police Ombudsman.

Clearly the investigation will look at the use of CS spray, which is used to incapacitate a person who is acting in a violent manner.

Officers are issued with a range of guidelines about using the spray. In particular, they are warned there are risks associated with using it on vulnerable persons, including those who are vulnerable through alcohol and drugs.

Of course, we do not yet know the cause of this man's death and the findings of the post mortem will be crucial.

But it is inevitable that a death in such circumstances will raise questions and the ombudsman should release any relevant information as soon as possible.

Mr McMahon's parents have spoken of their grief following the death of their son and called on the Police Ombudsman's office to carry out a thorough and swift investigation.

The family need to be kept fully informed about the investigation and have all their questions answered.